Jammu and Kashmir assembly election 2024 updates: 54% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in 26 seats
The second phase of voting on 26 seats in six districts for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections has begun on Wednesday, September 25, and will conclude at 6pm.
Security has been tightened in key constituencies such as Rajouri, which along with Poonch and Reasi has witnessed a surge of terror attacks over the last few years.
More than 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates, including 79 in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu during the second phase of elections. This is the first assembly election being held in Jammu and Kashmir in 10 years, after the abrogation of Article 370.
The first phase of voting was held on September 18 across 24 constituencies in seven districts, according to the Election Commission of India. The third phase will take place on October 1, after which counting of votes will be held on October 8.
The first phase of elections recorded a voter turnout of 61.13 per cent, which was held in 24 constituencies in seven districts.
One of the key candidates during the second phase of assembly elections is National Congress’ Omar Abdullah, who is contesting from two seats – Ganderbal and Budgam.
Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party chief Ravinder Raina is contesting from Nowshera in Rajouri, a seat that he has held for a decade.
According to the election commission, 157 special polling stations have been established including 26 ‘pink polling stations’ headed by women, 26 polling stations managed by specially abled persons, 26 polling stations held by youths, 31 border polling stations, 26 green polling stations and 22 unique polling stations.
On Monday, during a rally in Srinagar, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lost his confidence saying, “He used to boast about a 56-inch chest but he is not the same person anymore.”
The BJP dismissed his claims as “utterly baseless” and “laughable”.
The Congress and National Conference have formed an alliance, with the BJP and the PDP also playing a key role in the elections.